simmons



Nov. 2 1926.

EXERQI SING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 L. SIMMONSBXERCI S I NG DEVICE Filed March 18, 1926 Nov. 2 1926.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 2 1 2a. 1,605,792

L. SIMMONS 'EXERCISING DEVICE Filed March 18, 1925 '3 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

' UNITED STATES 1,605,7d2 PATENT @FFICE.

LEO summons, on Wiesel-meson, premieres on COLUMBIA.

EXERQGISING nnvron.

Application filed March 18, was. Serial no. 95.731.

This invention provides a simple and comparatively inexpensive apparatusfor use believe to be the oreferred mechanical ex pression or embodimentof the invention from among other forms, constructions and arrangementswithin the spirit and scope 1 ofthe invention.

An object of the invention is to provide comparatively simple anddurable means for aid and guidance in carrying out various healthfulmuscle strengthening and fat-re- 2 ducing movements and exercises, andas an aid in exercises particularly designed to cause flexing undertension of leg, arm, and body muscles, with the end in view of reducingthe waistline.

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in certainnovel features in construction, and in combinations and arrangements asmore fully described and specifiedhereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying forming a part hereof? Figs. 1, 2 and 3are more or less diagrammatical illustrations, in side elevation,showing a'person in three different positions 85 using the exercisingdevice of my invention. 1

Fig. 4: shows in top plan, the exercising device of my invention. V

Fig. 5 is a detail view elevation of the 40 duplex stirrup or holdingmember for the feet, the pull connections being removed.

Fig. 6 is a detail top plan view of the base plate or frame of the feetholding 'nem her or stirrup.

Fig. 7 shows the feet holding member in longitudinal section. L

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the connection between the frame of thefeet l1olding i'neinber and a pull connection.

Fig. 9 is a detail View of the handle portion of a pull connection, thehandle being partially broken away.

Fig. 10 is a detail cross section of said handle. 7 EB The'device of myinvention, shown as the embodiment that I now prefer, comprises a B0drawings,

duplex stirrup, or single holder for both feet having two elongatedhandles or right and left pull connections coupled to the outer sides orouter longitudinal edge portions thereof and extending rearwardlytherefrom and arranged to be grasped by both hands so that the power ofthe arms can beutili'zed in pulling against the power of the legs, orvice verjsa, in stretching and contracting muscles of the body and inforcing the muscles to perform work under force or tension, and inswinging-the legs together or as one, to various positions to forciblyeXercise varioQus and sundry inuselse, and particularly body andabdominal muscles to remove surplus body accumulations of fat or tissueand reduce the waistline. I

The stirrup orholder for thetwo feet consists of'a single or one piecestiff strong plate 1, of a general flat formation providing two parallelrigidly connected sole porti'ons 1, arranged side by side, each at therear having an upturned counter or heel flange 1, and each, at its outerlongitudinal side edge about midway its length, having an upturned ear1, for the attachment of a pull connection. It will thus be noted, thatthe outer opposite sides of the base plate, provide for the attachmentof theright and left hand pull connections. v

The duplex stirrup or single member for the two feet, is preferablyequipped with more or less soft or cushioning individual inner soles 2,and more or less soft flexible individual uppers 3, to receivethe frontportions of the feet respectively, and to c0 operate with the counter orheel flanges 1 in holding the feet to and against accidental slipping ordetachment from the stirrup during the exercises;

In the particular example illustrated, the right and left pullconnections, are similar, and each consists of an elongated strongflexible strap a, which is non-spring or non-elastic, at one end coupledto the st-irrupthrough the medium of an eye 1, to form a preferablypermanent connection, and at its oppo' site or free end provided with asuitable handle, such as loop handle 5, having cushioning hand grip 5?.This handle 5, is preferably adjustable longitudinally of strap 4:, toprovide a ull connection that can be increased or cecreased in length.For instands, I show the handle 5, coupled to the strap 4, by means of asuitable buckle 5 through which the strap is longitudinally adjustable.

The device of my invention is particularly designed for .use with theoperator in a reclining position on the back with both feet confined tothe single or duplex stirrup, and thereby held in approximatelyrelatively fixed position, and with the two pull connections grasped bythe right and lefthands, respectively and arranged at opposite sides ofthe legs.

The duplex holder for the feet prevents the natural tendency of the feetand legs to spread and separate when the legs are being pulled and swungas one by the hands and arms through the medium of the pull straps; andsaid holder, which is designed and arranged to be carried by the feet,also holds the feet from slipping from theholder, or the holder from thefeetwhile the legs are being swung and flexed to various positions bythe pull of the hands through the pull straps.

It will also be noted that the non-elastic pull straps are relativelyshort with respect to the length of the legs, being of a length tovirtually extend the arms to the holder for the feet to enable the armsto swing the legs when the body is reclining partially or wholly on theback. 7

With the device thus arranged, the legs can be swung together as onevertically to various positions either with the, assistance or againstpower of the arms, and many musclesof the body as well as of the armsand legs can be forced to exercise power and can be put under tension,to increase the circulation, and aid in muscledevelopment as well as toaid in removal of surplus weight and particularly to decrease the waistmeasurement.

It is evident that various changes, modifications, and variations can beresorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of myinventionand hence I do not wish to limit myself to the approximatelyprecise disclosures hereof.

' WVhat I claim is 1. An exercising device for swinging and flexing thelegs simultaneously when held approximately together with the bodyreclining on the back or hips, said device comprising a holderconstructed and arranged to receive and be carried by both feet and tohold said feet in relative fixed positions and the holder againstslipping therefrom,

and separate right and left hand pull connections constructed andarranged to extend from the holder to the hands, at opposite sides ofthe feet, legs and body, said connections being flexible and operativelynonelastic.

2. An exercising device for swinging and flexing the legs, comprising aholder con,

structed and arranged to be carried by and to receive and hold both feetthereto against relative separation and slipping, and a pair of separatenon-elastic pull connections at their free ends having hand grips and attheir opposite ends coupled to the holder at opposite sides thereof soas to be arranged. during operation when the body is in a recliningposition, at opposite sides of the body, legs and feet.

3. An exercising device for flexing the joints of the legs and arms,comprising means constructed and arranged to be carried by and to fitboth feet'and to hold the feet and legs together in relatively fixedpositions while being swung; and separate right and left hand pullsubstantially nonelastic connections havinghandles at their free endsand at their opposite ends directly coupled to said means so that thefeet and legs will be located between said pull connections, said pullconnections being relatively short in length with respect to the legs ofthe operator.

4:. An exercising device for lifting and swinging the legs when the bod}is reclining, comprising a semi-housed holder for both feet, said holderformed and constructed to be carried by the feet and to hold the feet inrelatively fixed positions against separation and slipping, and rightand left hand non-elastic pull connections coupled to opposite sideportions of said holder.

5. An exercising device for swinging the legs and arms, comprising aholder embodying frame and receiving means for both feet carried by saidframe and constructed and arranged to receive both feet and hold thefeet and legs in relatively fixed positionsandagainst slipping, andseparate non-elastic hand pull connections operatively fixed in length,having hand grips at their free ends and at their opposite ends havingdirect pull connection with opposite portions of said frame in suchmanner that in use the feet and legs will be located between the twopull connections.

6. An exercising device for swinging and flexing both legs together,comprising a base frame having separate semi-housings for the two feetconstructed to hold the feet together and the holder to the feet, eachsemi-housing having upper and counter portions; and right and left handnon-elastic pull connections oupled to opposite edge portions of thebase frame.

7. An exercising device for use through the medium of the hands and armsin swinging the legs as one toward and from the abdomen while notcarrying the weight of the body, said device consisting essentially ofmeans construct-ed and arranged to be held and carried by both feet andto hold the feet and legs against spreading apart, and separate rightand left hand substantially non-elastic pull connections directlycoupled to said means, said connections being relatively short in lengthwith respect to the legs to form direct straight line con? nections atopposite sides of the body, legs and feet from the hands to oppositeside portions of said means.

8. An exerciser for use through the medium of the hands and arms, whenthe body 7 is on the backor hips, in swinging the legs together to flexthe knee, ankle and hip joints, said exerciser consisting essentially ofopposite side separate right and left hand non-elastic pull connectionseach independently adjustable in length, said connections beingrelatively short with respect to the legs, and a holder for and to becarried by both feet, said holder embodying semi-hous ings for the tWofeet and a support for the housings, said connections being directlycoupled to the support.

9. An exerciser for use through the medium of the hands and arms, whenthe body is on the back in swinging the legs as one vertically tocompress the abdomen and to flex the knee and hip joints, consistingessentially of right and left hand pulls normally of fixed lengths andeach independently adjustable in length, said pulls being relativelyshort in length With respect to the legs, and a holder for and to becarried by both feet, said holder embodying a plate to which said pullsare coupled, and a. pair of housings on the top side of. said plate forthe feet, respectively, to hold the feet and legs against spreading andthe feet against slipping from the plate.

Signed at Washington, D. C., this 15th day of March, 1926.

LEO SIMMONS.

